How to Prevent Bedsores in Cancer Patients

Nutrition is important to supporting skin health and healing.

Bedsores, medically known as decubitis ulcers, can cause severe pain. If a sore is allowed to progress, it can damage the tissues as well as harming the underlying muscles, bones, joints and tendons. Early treatment and prevention are vital, particularly among cancer patients whose immune systems may be weakened.

Things You'll Need

• Pillows
• Ointment or other skin moisturizer

Instructions

1. Reposition the patient a minumun of every two hours, rotating him from one side to the other and on his back when in bed. This prevents cramping, helps promote circulation and prevents susceptible areas of the skin, such as the tailbone, from sustaining too much pressure.

2. Place pillows around the patient to pad their bony prominences. Mayo Clinic reports that bed-bound patients typically develop sores on the rims of the ears, the knees, heels, ankles, toes, hipbones, lower backs and tailbones. Cushion these areas appropriately and then ask the patient if he is comfortable. Reposition if necessary.

3. Give the patient a bed bath and apply a small amount of moisturizer or skin barrier cream to dry or sensitive areas. Patients who are weak and have become incontinent will need cleaning more often to keep acidic urine from damaging the skin.

4. Feed the patient a well-balanced diet and offer plenty of liquids. Since cancer medications and therapies can cause nausea, patients may lose their appetites and need meal replacements to get essential nutrients to support skin and overall health.

5. Gently massage the patient's back and perform range of motion on bed-bound cancer patients. Do this by gently moving the arms, legs, wrists, ankles and other areas that lack exercise and need increased circulation.

6. Perform regular skin checks, looking for redness. Cancer patients with darker skin may develop purple or bluish marks. Pamper these superficial sores to prevent a bedsore from progressing.

Tips & Warnings

• If a bed sore does develop, consult a doctor about proper wound care.

References

• Mayo Clinic: Bedsores (Pressure Sores)
• MedlinePlus: Pressure Sores